Kiwi academics wow Indian students and faculty

In late August, ENZ’s India team kicked off an Academic Lecture Series (ALS) where five New Zealand academics toured Indian institutions to share their specialist research and promote New Zealand as a quality study destination.

Prof Gooneratne (sitting second row, third in) at the session at University of Madras.

The ALS showcased the quality of education and research excellence at New Zealand’s universities, and provided a unique engagement platform for Indian students and faculty.

Jugnu Roy, ENZ’s Country Manager for India, says events like these are important to building relationships between Indian and New Zealand education institutions.

“The lecture series offered real-life examples of New Zealand’s academic and specialist research strengths. One-on-one engagement with experts inspires students to follow in their footsteps – and creates avenues to seek higher education in New Zealand,” she said.

The academics were Professor David Wareham from University of Canterbury, who presented ‘Effects of the Canterbury Earthquakes on the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Sewage Disposal System’; Dr Gourab Sen Gupta from Massey University, who presented ‘Importance of sensing and measurement in the world of robotics’; Professor Ravi Gooneratne from Lincoln University, who presented ‘Impact of Climate Change on Food Safety & Security’; Professor Elizabeth Rose from University of Otago, who discussed international business in “International new ventures: where do we go from here?”; and Professor David Hutchinson from University of Otago, whose lecture centered on the work of the Dodd-Wall Centre for Photonic & Quantum Technologies.

The ALS visited institutions in five cities, including the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, and the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

The ALS generated significant media coverage in The Hindu, The Statesman, the Deccan Chronicle and other leading media outlets.